Machine gun mount and shock absorber



July 7, 1953 A. A. DANn-:LsEN ETAL MACHINE GUN MOUNT AND SHOCK ABSORBER- 4 sheets-sheet 1 Filed May 8, 1944 I INVENTOR.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. A. DANIELSEN I'AL MACHINE GUN MOUNT AND SHOCK ABSORBER July 7, 1953 Filed May 8. 1944 July 7, 1953 A. A. DANlELsEN l-:TAL

MACHINE GUN MOUNT AND SHOCK ABSORBER 4 Sheetsf-Sheet 3 Filed May 8, 1944 A M n n.

I VENTQR.

4 SheAe'sfSheet 4 RRS:

IN1/ENT 1L al f July 7, 1953 A. A. DANIELSEN ETAL MACHINE GUN MOUNT AND SHOCK ABSORBER y Filed May a. 1944 Patented July 7, 1953 MACHINE GUN MOUNT AND SHOCK ABSORBER August A. Danelsen, Rosedale, and Armand P. Schleret, Babylon, N. Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to General Bronze Corporation, Garden City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 8, 1944, Serial No. 534,596

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine gun mount and to a shock absorber, snubber and accelerator.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of a twin machine gun mount that is particularly adapted for heavy barrel guns, which will insure true and continuous ring of both guns for a great number of rounds.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a machine gun mount that is so constructed that the labor of the gun durin-g its reciprocations on recoil and counterrecoil will greatly be reduced, with the `result that the periods between automatic firings will be reduced to such an extent that the number of rounds fired by the gun per minute will greatly be increased, and with the further result that the power of the gun to lift ammunition also will greatly be increased.

A still further object of the invention resides in so constructing the mount that the gun or guns may readily be removed therefrom without `necessitating the removal of the gun handles, and also in the provision of an 'adj ustable counterbalance which may be adjusted to meet Various existent conditions, which will counterbalance constructing the mount that it is adapted for rear or spade trigger firing, as well as for lside trigger firing.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a shock absorber and snubber that is adapted for, and capable of, use with reciprocating elements such as machine elements, whose reciprocations are to Vbe gradually arrested, and to so construct the device that it will be operable in com-pression as well as suspension.

In the drawings:

v Figure 1 is a top plan View Apartly in section of a twin machine gun mount constructed in accordance with our invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation;

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section on line 4-4 of Figure l, a portion thereof following the Vertical planes indicated by lines IIL-t' in Figure 6;.

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section on 2 t line 5-5 of Figure 1, it being understood that a section on line 5'-5 of Figure 1 would be Vthe same except that the re safety control would not appear therein;

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section on line 6--6 of Figure l;

Figure '7 is a transverse vertical section on line 'I-l of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a horizontal longitudinal section on line 8-8 of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a horizontal longitudinal section on line 9-9 of Figure 2;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the Iire control mechanism; and

Figure 11 is a detail of the lateral adjusting mechanism which is associated with the traversing mechanism and the rear of the receiver.

In the drawings (see Figures l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) is shown the twin guns in dotted lines to show their relationship with the carriage yand yet not to obscure the carriage itself.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the detailsy of which are selected for illustrative purposes, the twin guns I0 are shown in dotted lines, it being understood that when mounted in the carriage, one is mounted in each of the two cradles I I and I2, each gun being mounted for removal independently of the other. The two cradles are rigid with each other, being connected together, for instance, at II' and I2'. This carriage is pivotally mounted at I3 on a pintle fork which includes two elements I4 on opposite sides of the cradles and two elements I4 between the cradles. This fork is supported by the pintle I5 in the usual manner. The cradles II and I2 are held rigid with the pintle fork or are permitted to have pivotal movement thereon by locking pins I 6.

The cradle mounting is as follows:

A rear traversing mechanism secures each gun 4receiver to the rear of the carriage in such manner that the gun is capable of having longitudinal rectilinear reciprocations on the carriage. A slide I'I,`which has kdovetailed engagement at I8 with a bearing plate I9 that is removably secured to the bottom 2IJ of each cradle II and I2, pivotally carries the adjacent, gun receiver on apin 2|. This pin 2| extends throughA key- "hole openings 22 in the slide I1, and is proadapter andv the base.

receiver of the gun will be adjusted laterally in' respect of the cradle and after adjustmentwill be securely held in its adjusted position by theA set screw 24'. A similar construction is provided in connection with the cradle. I l... l

As is usual, the pin 2l may be removed longitudinally after turning the key 23l into alignment with the keyhole openings 22': bymeans such as a handle 24. However, it normally is. locked in its supporting position by locking the handle 24 against rotation by a clip as is indicated; at 25 (Figure 2). The forward end of each cradle ll and l2 is providedwith anelevating mechanism for the purpose of. aligning the longitudinal axes of the guns. This mechanismv includes a U-shaped adapter 26 that is supported. by a base..2'lV between. which and the` adapter.,y spacers 28 extend, which spacers are rigid, with the Y The base 2'!r is mounted for reciprocation in the guideways 29 which are held rigidly to the bottomof thecradle, which at this point forms an absorber housing 3l, by an adjustable bolt and nut. 30 which will permit the pivotal adjustment of the guide to properly Valignit with. the rear traversing mechanism and the gun receiver, andwillprevent. the adapter 26 from having. rocking movement longitudinally of the carriage..

Thus the receiver and thev gun barrel. that it carries.- are supported. for. reciprocation, within the cradle. at both its. forward and rear ends.

The. forward end. of. the receiver (and of the gun barrel) is adjustable upwardly and downwardly away. from orv toward the bottom. of. the. cradle, soy that the. longitudinal axis. of. the twin guns may be aligned, by eccentric bearings 32. (Fig- .ure 5), through. which the pin. 33 extends .and

which. bearings are. secured in. their adjusted lpositions by a screw operated clamp 31.. t

It is. to. be understood that the construction of. bothof the cradles is as. we have. described .above and we have. therefore described but one.

In order that the recoil, and counterrecoil of. the. gun. may be controlled in. such manner that the. objects.r and. effects. that have heretofore beenpointed out may.- be accomplished, there vis secured. to an adapter bolt. 34 that. extends .between and. is. connected. with. the. base 2T and the. adapter. 26, a plunger 35. that iswedge-shaped on its ends. asat 3.6. and 31.. Thisv meansis shown in Figures 5, '7. and 8, Figure 5y being a vertical longitudinal section Figure ,'7. a. vertical. transverse section and". Figure. 8j a horizontal longitudinal. section thereof.. The. adapter bolt. has a moving t withthe plunger. 3.5 so. that ltheplung-er .may pivot onthebolt.. Thi'splunger. is, of. course,

trically arranged C-springs 38, 39 and 40 which rest upon the bottom 4l of the housing 3| (which is rigid with the adjacent cradle) and are loosely positioned by a rigidly mounted post 42 in the housing. The opposite end of the housing is provided with similar G-springs 38', 39', and 40.L which rest upon thei bottomj 4.1i ofgthe housing, but may have a different positioning means. This means is illustrated as including a rigidly mounted post 43 and pin 44 between which post and the innermost spring 46 the springs 45 are arranged. These springs 45 normally tend to move. the C-springs 38', 39 and 40 away from thev plunger 35, but this movement is limited and the positions of these C-springs are controlled by relatively adjustable cooperating wedges 46 and 4.1. The transverse adjustments of these wedges are made by means of an adjusting screw 48. The wedges act as a base for the C-springs 38', 39' and 40 and the springs will be held against. the adjacent wedge 41 under theA influence. of' the. springs. 45.

In the'i'nactive position. 0f the plunger 35 the walls of. the. wedge-shaped ends 36. and 37 will contact the adjacent ends. of the C-springs 40 and 40', each. of which is of less resistance than the next adjacent C.springs. 33. or 38 which in turn are of less resistance than the C-springs 36 or. 38.. The graduated resistance to themovements of the plunger 35. may be accomplished in many waysbut we haveshown itasaccomplished by means of.' springs and by making the springs of greater thicknesses. Y

It is,v of courset, to be understood that thefC- springs of both sets may be put under initial and various compressions by means. of theI adjusting wedges or otherwise, even to the extent that springs 38 and 36 will be put under such compression that the stroke. of. the plunger 35 and consequently the magnitudeof. recoil and counter.- recoil may be controlled. v v

When only the springs 4D and 46 areplaced under initialcompression and while the plunger is in this. inactive. position, the ends of the C- springs 38 and 38 will be slightly spaced from the adjacent faces` of the wedge-shapedends 36 and 3.1 of this plunger 35 and the ends of the: C- springs 39 and 39" will be spaced from the adjacent faces oi. the wedge-shaped ends 36. and 31 `of the plunger. a slightly less. distance.

or 31, as the. case may be, willfseparate the ends of the. adjacenty C-springs 46 or 46 against Itheir resistance. and. will, after sufcient travel,

contact the-ends. of thenext. adjacent C-springs 39 and 39', and meeting the resistance of these springs. and operatingv againstthe same, will. increasingly separate. the endsthereof. as the plunger continuesy its. movement. Upon they further movement ofthe plunger the next C-springs 38 or 38' willbe engaged and, meeting the resistance of these springs and operating against it, will increasingly separate the ends thereof as the plunger continues its movement.

Thus the movement. upon bothrecoil or counterrecoil of. the gun will be. cushioned and ultimately arrested by a series of elements (there are shown and described. three C-springs, but a greater or lesser number may be used. or the. retarder may take other forms) for successively and gradually increasing the resistance to take care of. variable dynamic impact loads. k

It will be realized that when the adjustable Wedges 46 and 4l are. used. the position of the springs 38', 39 and 4U' will be shifted'in respect of the housing in which they are mounted while the positions of the G-springs 38, '39 and 40 will not be so shifted. However, the two sets of springs will bear the same relation to the plunger c in any of the adjusted positions of the springs, because the plunger (and the gun receiver by which it is carried) will be shifted simultaneously in its traversing mechanism.

In other words, regardless of the adjustment of the C-springs 38', 39 and 40', this set of springs and their counterpart 38, 39 and 40 will Ialways exert, either initially or during the reciprocating action of the gun, equal forces on the plunger.

It is of course to be understoodthat the re-V sistance of the elements of each retarder may be varied to vary the effective operation of one retarder in respect of the other, or the effective operation of one retarder element in relation to the corresponding element of the other retarder may be varied.

It is here pointed out that after one set of springs or retarder elements or any thereof have been put under compression by the movement of the plunger 35 they will exert a reactant force on the plunger with the result that, when the shock absorber is used on a gun having recoil and counter recoil, the period of rest between the changes of` direction of motion of the plunger 35 will greatly be shortened. This will result in an increase of the number of rounds fired per minute and also of a conservation of the available power developed by the gun during recoil and counter recoil that may be converted into lifting power, that is to say, the lifting of an increased number o'f rounds of ammunition per minute to the gun. Thus the device not only acts as a shock absorber and snubber, but also actually as an acceleration and a power conservator.

Referring to Figure 8, when the Wedge shaped end 31 of the plunger 35 is at the end of its stroke to the right, for instance, the three springs 38',

39 and 40' will all be exerting pressure on the:

faces of the tapered end of the plunger. The plunger at this time being at the end of its movement and the opposite end of the plunger being free of any pressure of the springs 38, 39 and 40, thesprings 38', 39' and 40' will coact with the inclined faces of the end 31 of the plunger to exert a force to assist in the initiation of the movement of the plunger in the opposite direction. When the plunger moves in the opposite direction the springs 38, 38 and 40 will similarly cooperate. Thus the period of rest at the end of each movement of reciprocation will be shortcned and the action of the gun accelerated. f

Moreover, regardless of the use to which the shock absorber is put, at the end of the movement against one of the retarders these springs tend gradually to urge the plunger and the element to which it is connected in the opposite direction and thus will greatly shorten the period of rest between recprocations as has been heretofore pointed ofut in connection with a gun mount.

In actual operation guns mounted in accordance with the description heretofore given exhibit a greatly increased lifting power and a greatly increased number of rounds fired per minute, and when twin guns have been used, the guns have continuously operated Vwithout stoppage of the ring of either gun for a great period of time and a great number of rounds.

In twin mounted guns having either side trigger or rear spade firing, the trigger mechanism of each gun must alternately successively operate to have uninterrupted firing by both of the guns. If one gun fires and the other gun lags, the former is :apt to re again before the firing of the second gun, and thereafter the latter will remain in a condition of stoppage, so that the firing of both must again be initiated by ceasing the firing of the gun that is operating and again setting the ring mechanism of both guns into operation.

This action is brought about, ordinarily, by one gun firing and completing its movement, again, to firing position and again firing before the other gun, having fired, again returns to its Vfiring positionand isrriired.

With our construction it has been found that when firing thousands of rounds of ammunition no "stoppage of either gun occurs.

In order that the twin guns may be balanced as their muzzles are elevated or depressed an initially adjustable and automatically variable counterbalance is provided. This mechanism (Figures 4 9) includes .a trunnion pin 49 which is angular in cross section, which pin extends between the inner side walls 5U of the cradles II and I2 through complementally shaped openings and also extends through rotatable bearings 5| carried by the pintle fork portions I4. A drum 52 is rigid with the trunnion pin 49 and rotatably carries a revoluble adjusting drum 53. One end 54 of a coil spring 55 is secured to the adjusting drum 53 and the other end is secured at 56 to the drum 52.

The face of the drum 53 is provided with a series of adjusting tool receiving openings 51, by means of which the drum 53 may be rotated in relation to the drum 52 to lessen or increase the normal tension of the spring 55. In order that the spring may be kept under its normal or adjusted tension, so that it may respond to the pivotal movements of the cradles, one of the pintle fork portions I 4 carries a set screw or screws 58 that are adapted to be selectively engaged with threaded openings 59 in the face of the drum 53 in the various positions of adjustment of the drum and various conditions of tension of the spring 55. Thus the weight of the guns and carriage will be counterbalanced at various points in and during their movements about the pivot I3, and any degree of resistance within limits may be predetermined.

'I'he entire counterbalance mechanism is enclosed in a two-part housing having a body portion 60 and a hinged cover 6l which may be swung out of position during the adjustment of the spring 55.

The side ring mechanism of this invention is indicated in Figures l, 4 and 6 of the drawings. It is constructed as follows:

The cylinder 62 is xedly mounted on the cradles at 63 and is provided with end walls 64 and 65. Two slides 66 and 61 of lesser length than the cylinder 62 are slidably mounted in the cylinder and have surface contact therewith. These slides are provided with end walls 68 and 69 adjacent one end of the cylinder 62. Rods 12 and T3 slidably pass through the end walls 54 and 65 of the cylinder 62 and the opposite end Walls 68, 69, 'l0 and 1| of the two slides 65 and 8l, and are attached to connectors 14 for a purpose later to be described. These rods 'l2 and 13 carry adjusting nuts 15 which bear against spacing collars l5 that surround the rods 12 and 13 and, at their other ends, bear against the ad- Vrelatively heavy spring Ti. is .interposed betweenthe .walls 59 and 'FIV of the slider'L These springs surround the rods 'I2 and "i3 `and-at one end the spring `'i vbears against .the wvalll of the slide |56 andat theother end against \a..coll'ar 'which is fixed toth'e'rod '13. The other -of movement of `an arm Sl carried by :a shaftV s2.

and will accomplish this result jacentiwall'and 15| .ofthe slides :Sii and "6l and are slidably mounted on the rods.

Interpose'd between the walls Stand 11] of the fslide ttiis a A similar :spring 'i3 `spring i8 is similarly mounted in relation to the rod .'E2land the slide 61. f

' The slide -66 carries a trigger actuating lug Bil Vand the'slide' S1 carries a simil-ar trigger actuating lug'fll, which lugs extend through suitable lslots vwithin the cylinder 62 so that they may have movement longitudinally thereof.' Addi- .:.tionallyfrelatively Alight Ysprings '32 and 83 are .relocated within the cylinder .52, and each of'these springs seats against a collar 84 whichis adjust- 'abl'e in relation tothe end wall 'EB or 'Se of the yslide 65 or Sl, by means of an adjusting screw 85.

The opposite ends of thesprings extend through openings 2S 'in the end walls 78 and 'H in the slides 65 `and t?, and seat .against the end vwall 65 of Vthe cylinder B2.

Each connector 'M is pivotally attached'to a link "8l which Ain turn is pivotally connected at 88 to the end of a coordinating and actuating lever .89 which is pivoted at si) between the side Vwalls of 'the cradles 'and |22.

The lower end of each of these levers 89 `projects into the path which is rigidly This shaftez is mounted within a tubular housing 93 which is vsupported on --the rear end of the carriage by a bracket Sli against rotation. On Athe end of the shaft 92 ,Y a removable ring handle 95 is secured by means of which the shaft t2 may be rotated.

VThe shaft 92 is mounted forrotation in bearings SE andis maintained against'longitudinal movements by a key 9'?. A coil spring sa, which v is-anchored at one end to thestationary bearing 96, is anchored at its other end to the arm 3| peachlever rearwardly (in Figure 4) vand'pulls'the connecting links 8'! rearwardly simultaneously. The rearward movement of rthese links, 'through the connectors 'I4 and the rods 'l2 and 'i3 and the springs T! and i8, moves the slides 66 and 6l `rearwardly within the cylinder 62, which slides carry with them the trigger ring lugs B and 8| These springs TI and '53, being placed under de# sired compression by the nuts 'I5 in the manner which we have heretofore described, are placed under further compression when'the lugs 80 and V8| engage and actuate the triggers of the firing mechanisms Then, when the ring occurs, the 'rods T2 and '53, being maintained constantly in the same position under tension applied to the handle 95, the force of the counterrecoil against the lugs and 8| is absorbed by the springs 'Il' and 'E8 by the reserve Vcompression resident in these springs.

VVDuring the counter recoil thelugs 3# and 8| necessarily move `forwardlyto some extent but inlIl() iriajge. '105, are connected l,to each of the levers .8B n.by

`fsuftlcientlyrto fallow `the trigger to move into tan :uncooked rposition so `,that .after nthe .counterrecoil thelugs801and;8;| still maintain the triggers in firing :position .so that the next firing y,will be automatic.

The springs -82 and83, which have been described as being under compression, and aslighter than .the springs '11 and 18, serve to move the slides 66 and 61, which carry the firing 'lugs-:80

:and 8| forwardly to ,a preering position, -so that when the'handle'951is rotated'to a non-firingposition thelugs willzassume a pre-firing position and firing willi-cease. i

,Additionally the action :of the -springs 'and I8 supplements the action of the spring 98 toreturn the links-8l, the leversV 89 `and the arms 9| to-their-pre-ring positionsvas well as cushioning the action of the lugs and 8|.

.Inforder that thermechanismkmay be :adapted for'rearor spadeiiring, weA have mounted a-,pair-,of rollers |1| pivotally at] (i2 onta bracket |03, which bracket is removably mounted at ilion thecarlThese vrollers lill, mounted Von .lever arm Ylinks |05 at'89. The rollers normally lie above and out of contact with the iiring spade |01 (which is indicated in dotted lines and whose connection to thering rmechanismis not shown :in this drawing because it is a wellknownconstruction-and is part-of the gun itself).

When-the Vlevers 89 arerotated about their pivot -90 in the vmanner which has already been described, the links |06 will draw .therollers 10| downwardly about their pvotuntil theycontact with, andidepress, the spade to .initiate and main- .tain the firing of thefggun. It is to be understood,

however, that usuallyboth-side trigger .ring and spade iiring are not simultaneously used, vbut the provision that is made or both side trigger ring and rear .or spade firing makes it possible ,tonse the mechanism of our invention in connection 'witheither ring. This is particularly valuable Y.because it makes the mechanism adaptable to 'guns having either typeof ringmechanism,

If-spade ring is desired, the side iiring .mech- ,anism may remain intact and connected aslhereinbefore described. However, when this conditionisdesiredthe following .is employed: .A plate `|08 is freely slidably and adjustablyfmounted .in thecylinder 62 between .the end wall ,'55 ythereof --and ...the adjacent ends of the slides 66 and .51.

`This plate may be adjusted ,from the position just described-byan adjusting vscrew -l whichisiin threaded .engagement with the end wall of the A:cylinder `into a position where-it will engage .the adjacent Aends 10 .and 1| of the Aslides .65 and 61 and'loek the .slides in forward positions against movements, for a purpose later 4to bei-described.

In order that theoperation offiring handle may be controlled, thatis to say, .may .be vlocked against movement, or released so thering may be initiated, there -is rprovided a locking pin H0, which projects Ythrough a support l||| andthe housing 33, and is provided with a hill and dale which cooperates with a complementalhillland ldale of the-shaft92 to lockthe shaft against rotation or to unlock it to permit rotation. To this pin f|.||J.is secured an operating handle l l2 cooperating with an .indicator H3, the handlebeing held :in its various positions of adjustment by a spring latch IM. l

It is often desirable to remove a gun, such Yas the one with which weare here concerned, from thecradle for various reasons as for instance 4if the gunmountA has become destroyed `or vdistorted so that it W'illno longer properly operate. When removed it is of course desirable to have the gun handles in place so that the gun may be operated from an improvised mount.

The mechanism of this invention is so arranged that the handles, which are standard on this type of gun, may remain on the gun and will not interfere with or make inconvenient the operation of the mechanism or with the placing or removal of the gun. This is evident from an inspection of Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, because in those figures the positions of the handles in respect of the guns and the mechanism of this invention are illustrated clearly in dotted lines.

While the above description is believed to-set forth the entiremechanism and operations, -the following is given as a general rsum:

When the two guns are placed in their cradle the placing of the mechanism of this invention will make it unnecessary for the removal of the handles of the guns and so the guns may be emplaced or removed with their handles in place, which will make it possible to remove the guns asdesired and set them up and quickly use them on lan improvised mount.

When each `gun receiver is locked to the traversing mechanism and to the adapter bolt the guns may be adjusted to align their longitudinal axes both in vertical and horizontal planes by the adjustment ofl the cam device of the travvate'the muzzles of the gun Abarrels and in thel various positions of elevation or depression the guns will be maintained in such positions by the counterbalance spring 55 because of the automatically variable eifectiveness of this spring as the angle of inclination of the guns changes.

Of course the horizontal movement of the guns and carriages is about the support l5.

When the guns reciprocate in the cradles under theinfluence of the developed forces of recoil and `counterrecoil the adapter bolts 34, which are rigid with the receiver, move forwardly and rearwardly with the guns. `As each gun so moves the compressing spring 40 or 40', which is under some initial tension andcontacts with the adjacent wedge-,shaped end of the plunger 35, resistsland tends to absorbA the movement of the gun because of the spreading action exerted on the spring by the moving plunger. As the moving plunger contacts the next adjacent spring 39 or 39', which is of greater resistance and whose ends are normally spaced from the adjacent wedge-shaped end of the plunger, the ends of this spring are spread and thus the resistance of this spring is added to the resistance of the already spread springs and the movement of the gun is further arrested.

A similar action takes place upon the continued movement of the gun by the contacting of and spreading of the springs 38 or 38, depending upon the direction of movement of the gun. At the end of the movement of the gun in one direction the combined counteracting forces of the three springs exert a counterpres- 10 sure on the plunger and tend, because of the wedge-shaped end of the plunger with which they contact, to move the plunger in the opposite direction and of course to move the gun in the opposite direction. This action of the retarder shortens the period of rest between the reciprocations in opposite directions and assists in the initiation of the movement in the opposite direction, thus overcoming the lag or labor of the gun to a material extent.

Of course the opposite retarder, when the gun is moving in the opposite direction, has a similar action.

As has been pointed out, the resistant force of each of the two opposite retarders in either of the combined shock absorbers and accelerators l may be equal. However, should it be desirable the resistance of one retarder may be less or greater than that of its opponent, a condition which may be predetermined. However, the resistance of the retarders against the movements of the gun or guns may be increased or decreased by the wedge adjustment which has heretofore been described, and in so increasing the increase of resistance on one retarder will be proportionate to that on its opponent because the movement of the retarder adjacent the wedge adjustment moves the plunger 35 and the gun bodily in the traversing mechanism.

The conservation of the energy developed by the gun during recoil or counterrecoil, because of the action of the shock absorber and accelerator, makes it possible to use this energy to raise a greater number of rounds of ammunition to the gun.

When the gun is operating on side i'lring mechanism the links |06 are disconnected to render inoperative the spade actuating rollers 10|. Thus when the lire control handle 95 is actuated to rotate the shaft 92 and the levers 89A are moved about their pivot 90 by the arms 9|, the drawing rearwardly of the connecting links 81 will draw the rods 12 and T3 rearwardly against the action of the springs 11 and 18, with the result that the lugs and 8| on the side ring mechanism will contact with the side triggers of the gun, and the springs 11 and 18 will be put under further compressionfas the triggers are drawn to their firing, position. Then on the counter recoil of the gun the shock on the trigger will be cushioned by the springs 11 and 18, but as long as the firing control handle is held in itsflring position the guns will continue to re and it is to be noted that the two springs 11 and 18 are independently operable, so that.

each has its individual action on the lug 80 or 8| and on the associated trigger. i

The lower springs 82 and 83 normally urge the slides 66 and 61 forwardly and the firing lugs 80 and 8| into non-firing and pre-firing positions.

When spade firing is desired, the links |06 are connected between the levers 89 and the levers |05 on which the firing rollers |0| are mounted and the screw |09 may be adjusted to move the plate |08 into contact with the rear edges of the slides 66 and El to move them into their forwar-d positions and maintain them in such positions where the lugs 80 and 8| are in pre-firing or non-firing positions. When this arrangement is brought about the springs Tl and i8 will function to absorb the shock normally transmitted to the spade firing mechanism on the counterrecoil of the gun or guns, and thus the side firing the.mechanismswhichhave heretofore been described has resulted iny the acceleration. of. the

ring so thaty the number. of vrounds per minute,

hasbeen greatly increased-,has resultedina reduction of the patternV area.v on thetarget toV aV great degree, and, most important, has resulted in continuous ring of twin machineguns for a great number of rounds Without.stoppage of either of the guns.

I' What is .claimed isz.

In combination, aA carriage for twin guns havingsidering mechanism, a pair of cradles forfsaidv guns, slide means for supporting said guns-in said cradlesadjacent their rear ends for, longitudinal reciprocations, means for. pivotally supporting said. gunsulocatedbetween their. ends for` elevation and depression, adapters rigidfwith said. guns forwardly of said pivotal. support meansand.movablelongitudinally withfsaidlguns,` and-.means locatediorwardly of said pivotal support means cooperating.` with said adapters. for arresting themovements.ofY said guns in both directionsv of reciprocation, said last mentioned. means. including. springs for. resistingl themovement of said guns in each direction in sequential increments. l

- 2i In'. combination, a carriage :for twin guns having: side ring: mechanism, a pair of.v cradles for saidxguns, independent slide means for supporting. said. gunsy in said cradles adjacent their rear ends for longitudinal reciprocations, pivotal means for.- supporting. said gunsl between their ends? forY elevation.y and depression, independent adapters. rigidi with said guns forwardly of said pivotal means and. movable longitudinally with said' guns, andi independent means located' forwardly of said .pivotal means cooperating with saidf adapters for arresting the movementsv of saidgunsiin both. directions of. reciprocation, said last'mentioned means including. springs4 for resisting the. movement of said gunsin each di rection in sequential'increments.

3f.. In combination, a1 carriage for twin guns.. having sidey firing mechanism, a pair of cradles..

forfsaid guns, slide: means` for supporting said:

gunsiny saidV cradlesadjacentd their rear ends for. longitudinal reciprocations, means for pivotallyV supporting said guns located between their ends for elevation and depression; adapters rigid with. saidY guns-forwardl'y'ofv said'pivotalv support means an-dI-movab'l'e longitudinallywiths'aid guns, means v 12 reeiprocation, said last mentionedmeansincfud-; ingsprings for` resisting the movement of. said. guns in each direction in sequential increments, and means for adjusting each of saidlast: men.- tioned means independently of the other.

4. In combination, a carriage for twin. guns. having side ring mechanism, a. pair of cradles.: for said guns, independent slide means for.v sup... porting said. guns in said cradles adjacent. their: rear. ends for longitudinal reciprocations, piu-.- otal means. for supporting said.vl gunsY between.y their ends: for. elevation` and. depression, indef. pendent adapters rigid withsaidguns forwardlyyy of said pivotal means.andYmovable.longitudinallyI with` said guns, independentmeans locatedforwardly of said pivetal means; cooperating withl said adaptersfor` arresting theA movements` off' saidgunsdnlboth directions-of reciproca-tion, said last mentioned meansincluding-.springs fon re 1 sistingf the movement of said gunsin ea-chdirec-Y tion in' sequential increments, and means for adn justing .each of: said.. last mentioned` means inde pendentl'y of theother;

i5.Invcombination,V a. carriage for twin guns.l

a having side firing mechanism, apair of.v cradles?l for.v saidguns, slide means for supportingsaid guns in saidcradlesL adjacent their rear.l end'sifor.- Y

longitudinal. reciproeations; pivotal means for; supporting said gunsbetweenitheir ends for ele-J vation and. depression, .an-d.. means-1 located fore.A wardly of. sai'dpivotal. means forarresting thevv movement of. saidI guns in both:.direetions of'. res.. ciprocation. increasing n increments of.' resist-- ance.

AUGUSTA. DANIELSEN; ARMAND P. SCI-ILERlSlT.'`

inneren@es, citadas the nie-,cr this patent;` UNI-TED sii-Aras PATENTS Danie'lsen. et` al.. Dec. 19 19.511y 

